…discussions begin on reopening only for fully vaccinated persons
Blockades and protest action by Brazilians over the closure of the border crossing shared with Guyana have sparked discussions between authorities of both countries to enable arrangements for the movement of people and goods.
Now, both Governments will consider the possibility of reopening the border for fully vaccinated persons.
The blockade of the border on the Brazil side was initiated by members of the Lethem and Bonfim communities, thereby preventing trucks carrying goods from entering Lethem earlier last week.

Dr Frank Anthony
At the request of the Guyana Government, a meeting was facilitated with Governor of the State of Roraima in Boa Vista, Antonio Oliverio García de Almeida on Friday. Guyana’s delegation comprised of Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; Senior Minister in the Office of the President responsible for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; senior officials from the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry and the National COVID-19 Task Force.
From the outset, the Governor and State Representatives of Roraima and Guyana’s Ministers of Government highlighted the importance both Brazil and Guyana’s Governments attach to the bilateral relationship.
Anthony said while it is understandable that members of the communities want an opening of the border to allow for the movement of commerce and people, the arrangement put in place to restrict the movement of goods to one day per week had worked satisfactorily over the past year.
He pointed out that while it was Guyana’s desire to have the border between the two countries opened as quickly as possible, this had to be done safely given the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases and the threat of the spread of the Delta variant across the communities.
This situation was compounded by the unfortunate position being taken by some persons in Guyana not to be vaccinated. He highlighted that one possible solution is for all persons transiting the border to be fully vaccinated and produce a negative PCR test. Both sides will further discuss this to arrive at a decision in the future.
